IRELAND defeated Canada 4-1 in the Military World Games in Hyderabad, India, while Egypt thrashed Ireland 7-0 to claim its third successive win in the Games. A hat-trick from Al-Gaish midfielder Mamdouh Abdel-Hai in addition to goals from Ahmed Eid, Shikabala, Abdel-Hamid Bassiouni and Mohsen Hendawi gave the Pharaohs their massive win on Sunday. The title-holder Egypt booked its place in the quarter- final stage-one match earlier since it had the maximum six points from two matches. The quarter-finals will kick off on Monday but Egypt's opponents are yet to be determined. Egypt finished the first round on top of its group with nine points from three games as it crushed Guinea 3-0 and thumped Canada 5-1. The Pharaohs have clinched four of the last seven Military World Cup titles, and they are firm favourites to repeat their success this year. The World Military Cup is a football competition for national military teams. It is organised by the International Military Sports Council. The tournament has been held since 1946 and was originally called the World Military Championship. The name was changed in 2001. When the multi-sport Military World Games was set up in 1995 the football championship was incorporated into it, but it is still being held independently every two years.
